Novelty headdress



G, MASON NOVELTY HEADDRESS March 15a l 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9 1948 March- 15, 1949.

Filed Jan. 9. 1.948

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z eyecarz j MV QW,

G. MAsoN 4 1 2,464,331.l

NOVELTY, HEADDRESS Patented Mar. 15, 1949 UNITED STATE;y er

8 Claims.

This invention relates to apparel and more specifically to novelty headdress.

Womens hats are usually designed and constructed to have a crown p-ortion, at least, which is of a predetermined substantially permanent shape, the fabric of the hat being sewed or otherwise attached to a Wire frame of a given shape thereby to impart the desired contour to the crown, to which ornaments may be attached if desired. As a general rule, womens hats are denitely limited in their use, that is, they are not adapted for widely varying purposes, for example, on one occasion to be distinctively sports-- wear and upon another occasion to be distinctively formal attire. Objects of this invention are to provide a novel and attractive headdress which by simple manipulation may be made into a Variety of distinctively shaped head coverings; which by such manipulation may be shaped to portray favorably the special charm of each wearer; which may be worn for different purposes and upon different occasions; which will be inexpensive to construct; and which may be made of a wide variety of materials of like or contrasting kinds, depending upon the season and/ or use.

Accordingly, and as illustrated, the hat is comprised of a strip or band of resilient material which may be denoted the main band, such as spring steel or plastic, which is initially shaped so that normally it will occupy, when unconstrained, a substantially ycircular shape, that is, it vwill take the form of a split ring which will have a normal radius of curvature which is less than that vof the average adult head. A substantially crescent-shaped piece of deformable material decorative in character is attached to the band .along its shorter edge so as to cover the strip, and is substantially greater in width than the band axially so as to project from one side thereof. Preferably, the crescent-shaped piece is composed of two thicknesses of material, having like or different surfaces for display purposes. The layers are united to-provide a pocket between themland Within which the main band is housed and carried close to the shorter edge. Since the shorter edge of the crescent-shaped piece is attachedto the band, it will normally be held substantiallyin the shape of a 'frustum open at both ends 'and may be Worn in this condition with the larger open end disposed on the head, the band residing lat the smaller 'top end of the frustum. The band, however, is adapted to be distended from itsnormally closedcircular position to assume'a :curvature of sufficiently large radius to embrace the head land Vto cause the crescentshaped piece to conform to the head, that is, to extend across the top and downwardly along the opposite sides. When so disposed, the crescentshaped covering material may be moved bodily relative to the distended band and hence to the top of the head to assume any angular position about the axis of the ring, for example, to extend forwardly as a bonnet over the forepart of the head, rearwardly as a covering over the back part of the head, vertically as a full crown or in an inclined position as a half-crown either forwardly or rearwardly. A deformable member, constituting afsecondary band such as a piece of pliable wire or strip of plastic, may be included within the pocket of the crescent-shaped covering material near the free or longer edge thereof and may, by manipulation, be deformed to hold the projecting portion thereof in any given shape which is attractive and desirable from'the standpoint of the wearer. One or more supplemental bands corresponding to the band carried at the shorter edge of the crescent-shape envelope may be pivotally attached at their opposite ends to the opposite ends of this main band carried at the shorter end of the cover, these said added or supplemental bands being separately covered with a material similar to or dissimiar to that applied to the main band to form one or more annular bands. The covering material in this instance is confined substantially to the axial width of the supplemental band, that is, it is not adapted to be shaped thereon or to have relative movement thereto as distinguished from the covering material applied to the main band. These sup-plemental bands will normally lie close to the main band so that their coverngs form annular bands corresponding in size to the small end of the frustum and forming an extension thereof. When distended from their normal annular or ring shape, however, these supplemental bands may by angular movement relative to the main band, be caused to encircle the back part of the head to assist in retainng the headdress in place. Frame-like members may be attached at the opposite ends of the main band and covered with material simi'ar to that applied to the various other bands.` The frames are pivoted for rotation in the planes of their surfaces and also angularly about one edge so that they may be adjusted to a variety of positions. When the main and supplemental bands and the secondary bands where the latter are used, are distended, these frames form earlaps or muffs which may cover the ears and which may be adjusted irrespective of the position of the embracing distended bands on the head, or which may be tilted out of ear-engaging position so as to form part of the decoration oi' the headdress. An important aspect oi the inf- Vention is that, when all of the said ban-ds collapsed, that is, occupy their normal. position, the covering material forms a substantially irustoconical crown open at the top which provides a headdress which is strictly formal appearance, Whereas when they are dist-ended to embrace the head a distinctively sports type of headdress is formed.

The invention will now be described in more detail with respect to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the headdress which forms the subject matter of the present invention showing it in its simplest and undistended form;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the undistended headdress with an annular supplemental band added to the crown at the small end thereof and forming a ring in its unrestrained condition;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the un-distended headdress with an annular supplemental band and means such as pads, ear mufs, etc. closing the opening at the small end of the crown;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the headdress shown in Fig. l, with the pile omitted, and distended to embrace the head;

Fig. 5 is a side View of the headdress shown in Fig. 2, with the pile omitted, distended to embrace the head and showing the annular supplemental band positioned at an angle to the crown;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the headdress as shown in Fig. 3, with the pile omitted, dstended to embrace the head showing the annular supplemental band in position for encircling the back part of the head and the closure means in position for covering the ears;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the crown opened out into a iiat position and showing the ends of the main band projecting from the crescent shape hat adjacent the ends of the shorter edge thereof;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a two-piece frame in the form of a split ring or band to which the crown is attached;

Fig. 10 is a plan View of a one-piece split ring distended and having attached to its opposite ends earlap frames;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of a portion of an earlap frame;

Fig. 12 is a plan view 0f a locked ring;

Figs. 13 and 14 'are plan views of pieces of pile fabric shaped to be applied to the earlaps;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the inside of the ear-lap in its assembled form; and

Fig. 16 is a section on the line I'uf-IB of Fig. 15.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, there is shown a novelty headdress which may be worn in one of two positions which will be hereinafter referred to as a collapsed position and a distended position. In its collapsed position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the headdress comprises essentially a substantially frustoconical crown l il open at both ends adapted to be placed on the head with the small end up and the large end resting on the head. With the smaller open end there is associated one or more supplemental annular bands i2 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 and circular pads I4 which, in this condition of the headdress, constitute decorative motifs. When the headdress is distended, as will appear with lil reference to Figs. 4 to 6, the crown l0, which is substantially crescent-shaped, embraces the head extending over the top of the head and downwardly along the opposite sides to approximately7 the line of the ears, the annular band or bands i 2 extending around the back portion of the head and the generally circular or elliptical pads i4 forming earlaps or muifs, as shown in Fig. 6.

As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the frustoconical crown i0 is comprised of two plies or thicknesses I6 of flexible material, each being cut in a substantially crescent-like shape and joined faceto-face by means of a hidden seam I8 and an exposed seam 2li to form an envelope 22. As thus constructed, the hidden seam constitutes the forward or convex edge 24 of the envelope, and the exposed seam constitutes the rear or concave edge 26 of the envelope. Within the envelope, that is between the joined thicknesses of material, there is disposed and carried close to the rear, that is the shorter edge 26,'a resilient ilat or round wire constituting the main b-and 2S. The member 28, as shown in Fig. 9, is comprised of two slidably joined strips Sil- 39, each of which has secured thereto a collar 32 through which a portion of the other strip slides. As thus joined, the strips, when in their normal unconstrained condition, form a split ring or band 28 which, as shown in Fig. 9, is of a radius substantially less than the radius of the normal adult head. The sli-dably associated strips permit adjustment in the circumferential length of the band. The split ring or band may, however, be in one piece, as shown in Fig. 10, and in either form may be distended so as to be of suiciently large radius to embrace the head by forcibly separating its ends, as shown in Fig. 10. The strip or strips Sil-30 of either main band which form the band 23 may be made of a highly resilient spring steel, plastic or any other suitable resilient material.

The band 28 passes freely through the envelope 22 and holds it in a substantially frustoconical shape thereby forming a crown open at its ends, the larger end being of such size as to be placed on the head and retain the headdress in place. When the split ring or band 2B is distended, however, so as to embrace the head, the envelope may conform closely to the contour of the head yas a band, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, or may be turned bodily upon the distended main band to vary its angular position with respect thereto and hence to provide for varying pleasing effects. For example, it may be made to take the form of a bonnet, half crown or full crown, front or back, that is, either forwardly of the head or rearwardly thereof. As a band head covering, it may extend forwardly, as in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, or rearwardly to protect the top and/or back portion of the head. The forward edge of the envelope may be bent transversely and longitudinally when in any one of the aforesaid positions to produce fdiiferent effects. If desired the envelope may be situated to embrace the lower part of the back of the head and neck to protect it against wind, rain or snow.

The material of which the envelope is made is herein illustrated as rabbit fur. However, it is to be understood that any desirable natural or articial fur may be employed and that pile fabrics or other textile or sheet materials may be substituted for fur. The material should have sufficient body to take and retain a given shape when manipulated. As used herein, the term pile fabric or material is intended to include furs whether natural or artificial and any of the various kinds of ,pile Afabrics such as plush, mohair, velvets, velveteens, 4terry cloth v.and napped worsted, .woolen and cotton fabrics.

While most of'the'fabrics of which the envelope is madezas referred to abovehave sufficient body torretain afolded, creased or otherwise deformed condition r.unaided,.it.is also contemplated that there may be included in the forward or free edge 24 of the envelope a deformable strip of flat or round wire of metal or plastic 33 (Fig. 7) which may be denoted as a secondary band, extending substantially the entire length of the envelope which may be deformed and by such deformation to assist in holding the contour of the forward edge of the envelope in the desired position,

As indicated heretofore, one or more annular supplemental bands l2 may be employed in combination with the crown. band l2 is illustrated and comprises a split ring or band 28 like the main band 2a, the opposite ends of which are pivotally attached by rivets or other suitable fastening means 34 to the opposite ends of the main band 2f?. A separate narrow envelope 36 of pile fabric is applied to the supplemental band to cover it, and when the main and supplemental bands are collapsed, that is in their normal condition, the supplemental band resi-des at the top of the crown following the contour of the opening Iat the top of the frustum and projecting from the crescent shape cover adjacent the ends of the shorter edge thereof, as shown in Figure 7. Preferably the envelope 3G on the supplemental band is so selected that the pile will lie at a different angle than that in the body of the crown, thereby effecting a marked contrast in the surface texture and producing a novel and pleasing effect at the top of the crown. When the main ring or band 28 is -distended to embrace the head the ring or band 28 will likewise be distended. Since the band 2B is pivoted to the ends of the band 28, it may be moved angularly with respect thereto to embrace different portions of the head. For example, it may be moved to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 to encircle the back part of the head `and hence to assist in holding the headdress in place. While the envelope 36 is shown as comparatively narrow and is not intended to be manipulated as was the envelope 22, it is within the scope of this invention to apply a crescent-shaped envelope to the band 23' in lieu of the narrow envelope so as to provide for an extra head covering when the headdress is distended.

It will be understood that the bands i2, 28, 28 and 33, when not distended for engaging the hat with the head, will assume a generally ring shape due to the resilience of the wire or strip forming the band.

The pads i4, which are two in number, are preferably attached to the ends of the band or ring 28 or to the combined rings or bands 28 and 28' if there are more than two. To this end there is pivotally attached to each end of the supplemental ring or band 28, for example by means of the aforementioned rivets 34, a tab 38 so that it may be turned about the axis of the rivet. Each tab is provided at its lower end with an outwardly and upwardly turned hook 40 adapted to engage a cross-piece 42 formed near one end of a generally circular or oval-shaped frame 44. The frame 44 may therefore be turned together with the tab in the plane of its surface about the axis of the rivet and also tilted about one A single annular 6 edge inwardly, asillustrated in Fig. 10. A piece of coarse fabric 45 (Fig. 16) is stretched across and secured to the frame 44 by a correspondingly shaped ring 46 of slightly large overall dimension adapted to be applied to one side of the frame and by snap engagement therewith to lock the two "together with the edges of the fabric stretched taut between them. A rpiece of pile fabric "48, corresponding 'in shape to the frame but of smaller overall dimensions, is adhesively applied or otherwise secured to the inside surface of the fabric 45. To cover the outside of the frame a small envelope 50 (Fig. 14), corresponding in shape to the frame but open at one side and made of pile fabric, is applied to the outside of the frame so as to cover the peripheral edge of the frame and overlie the marginal edges of the piece 43, as illustrated in Fig. 15. A narrow band of elastic web 52, stitched around the edge of the envelope, serves to hold it in place. A layer of felt or other soft, warm fabric 56 may be included between the outside of the frame and the inside of the envelope if desired. The pads i4 may be caused to project laterally in Y opposite directions from the back portion of the headdress when it is collapsed or be placed in overlapping position and rotated to an upright position to close the opening at the top thereof (Fig. 3). By proper manipulation a variety of different effects may be had.

When the headdress is distended, however, to embrace the hea-d, the pads I4 become earlaps or muffs and are held in place against the ears by the resilience of the band 28. By reason of the fact that they are pivotally attached to the band 2t, they may be adjusted to cover the ears in whatever position the headdress is situated.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A headdress comprising a curved resilient band whose normal radius of curvature is less than that of the average adult head and a substantially crescent-shape cover carrying at its shorter edge the said band, the ends of said band projecting from the said crescent-shape cover adjacent the ends of the shorter edge thereof, and means engaging the head connected to the projecting ends of said band.

2. A headdress according to claim 1 wherein said means is movably connected to said projecting ends of the said band.

3. A headdress according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises generally circular pads.

4. A headdress according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises another resilient band.

5. A headdress according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises another resilient band having a separate cover therefor.

6. A headdress according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises another resilient band and means for movably connecting the ends of said last band to the ends of the first band.

'7. A headdress according to claim 1 wherein the cover is formed of exible material, the remainder of the crescent-shape cover beyond the shorter edge thereof being freely foldable.

8. A headdress according to claim 1 wherein a resilient band is carried by said crescent-shape cover at the longer edge of said cover.

GEORGE MASON. (References on the following page) REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 144,395 Laskn Apr. 9, 1946 2,159,609 Wengen May 23, 1939 Number Number France Oct. 24, 1939 

